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New Hybrid Pension Plan in California

New California state and local government employees would be covered under a hybrid pension program under a proposal announced by Gov.Brown. The proposal would create a pension plan with elements of defined benefit and defined contribution plans and would also raise to 67 the retirement age for new government employees. The normal retirement age for state and local government employees is 60, though some can retire as early as 55 with full benefits. Mr. Brown said in a speech at the statehouse in Sacramento that the plan would save the state about $0.900 billion a year and that similar savings… Read More »New Hybrid Pension Plan in California

Top Five Mistakes Drivers Make

For many drivers, getting behind the wheel is second nature, so it’s easy to make errors without realizing it. However, these errors can lead to serious accidents. Keep yourself and others safe on the road by avoiding these mistakes: 1. Tailgating Leave a three-second cushion between you and the vehicle in front of you. Leave even more time when road conditions are bad or when you’re travelling at higher speeds. 2. Stopping Instead of Yielding Accidents can happen when drivers stop at a yield sign. “Yield” simply means to slow down and let the traffic on the road you are… Read More »Top Five Mistakes Drivers Make

Customer Satisfaction with Home Insurers

Customer satisfaction with homeowners insurance companies this year is up from 2010, but still remains below levels achieved in 2009. Overall satisfaction with homeowners insurance companies averages 769 in 2011—improving by 19 points from 2010, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. National Homeowners Insurance Study. The study examines five factors: – policy offerings; – price; – billing and payment; – interaction; – claims. While satisfaction has improved in all five factors from 2010, the greatest gain occurs in the interaction factor. Want to get a quote for your Homeowners’ Insurance? Visit our website or call 877-239-0067.

Employment Benefits Become Less Affordable

Almost all employers admitt their employees need help in making benefits decisions and education to make changes in their benefits programs according to a survey taken at the recent Society for Human Resource Management conference. The survey, conducted by Colonial Insurance Company, also found that a little over half employers plan to increase employees’ share of health insurance premiums, while nearly half are increasing deductibles and co-payments in response to the rising cost of health care.

Love your neighbor, Help your neighbor

State Farm and consumer research firm Harris Interactive surveyed more than 17,000 people about the state of American neighbors and found that 83% are willing to help a neighbor having financial problems. Every second person said that neighbors affect his or her happiness! Here is a brief summary of our staff advise on how to get closer with your neighbor and develop human mutual aid companionship: – Do your best to know at least a fair amount of your neighbors by name – If needed help a neighbor look for a job – If needed cook meals for neighbors –… Read More »Love your neighbor, Help your neighbor

Cyber Liability and Data Breaches

Cyber liability plaintiffs are experiencing more success in the courts, significantly increasing potential costs for companies that have experienced data breaches. Increasing legislation and regulation related to data breaches at both the state and federal levels is contributing to plaintiffs’ success. The average cost of a data breach was $2.4 million in a recent survey of approximately 80 data breach claims. Hackers are the most frequent cause of data breach losses, responsible in 32% of the claims studied, Mr. Greisiger said, followed by rogue employees or contractors in 19% of the claims. Health care was the sector most often at… Read More »Cyber Liability and Data Breaches

Directors and Officers Policies are on a Rise

More companies with international operations are buying local insurance to cover the risk of lawsuits against their company managers, according to a survey released Tuesday by Towers Watson & Co. Towers Watson surveyed 496 organizations that obtain directors and officers liability insurance. Out of the 53% that said their companies have international operations, 47% said they bought a local policy in a foreign jurisdiction. That compares with only 2% of respondents with international operations that did so in 2008, the last time the survey was conducted. The survey found that as a rule, the larger the company, the more likely… Read More »Directors and Officers Policies are on a Rise

Watch Your Car This New Year’s Day

You’ve got your plans for New Year’s? The list of commitments is ready, the fridge is stocked for the party. You’re ready to have the best ever yet New Year’s Celebration. And so are millions of people. Everyone is ready to relax, but vehicle thieves. New Year’s Day was once again the leading holiday for reported vehicle thefts in 2009, while Christmas Day repeated as the holiday with the fewest reported vehicle thefts. For the 11 holidays reviewed in 2009, a total of 22,991 vehicles were reported stolen compared to a total of 24,676 reported for those same days in 2008,… Read More »Watch Your Car This New Year’s Day

Workplace Injuries in 2009 Declined.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Thursday that nonfatal workplace injuries declined to 3.3 million in 2009, down from 3.7 million in 2008. The rate of such injuries fell to 3.6 cases per 100 equivalent full-time workers, a decrease from 3.9 per 100 in 2008. In a statement announcing the decrease, the Labor Department did not cite a reason for the lower numbers. But Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis said in the statement that she is concerned about certain employers that discourage workers from reporting injuries. “Complete and accurate workplace injury records can serve as… Read More »Workplace Injuries in 2009 Declined.